Learn programming
with curated Swift projects

What is Swift programming and should I learn Swift?

Created by Apple in 2014, Swift was designed to replace Objective-C for Apple ecosystems. When Swift became open-source a year later, it skyrocketed and became one of the fastest-growing languages. It’s currently the dominant iOS coding language and is also used across MacOS, tvOS, and other Apple platforms. Swift is easy to learn, even for beginners that have limited programming knowledge. One of the main reasons why the iOS coding language is easy to learn is that the syntax is clean, intuitive, and concise. This means that, Swift vs Objective-C, less code is required for the same task to be performed when written in Swift. The shorter feedback loop also makes it easier to test, debug, and ship high quality code. So, should I learn Swift? If you want to develop mobile apps, then you should definitely learn Swift. But doesn’t Swift only apply to Apple platforms? Yes, but many companies prioritize iOS apps over Android apps. iOS apps are faster and easier to develop, they’re compatible across Apple devices, and Apple users are more inclined to subscribe to apps compared to Android users. As Swift is a key to the success for companies that develop mobile apps, it’s not hard to see why there’s a constant demand for Swift developers.

Why should I practice Swift by building projects?

Project-based learning is a method of learning where you learn a skill through working on a project. This type of learning allows you to learn not only the theory, but also how to apply those skills. By building a Swift project, you'll practice the high-level logic of your code and project, and see how each individual line can impact your application. You will also gain problem-solving skills and how to fix it. With so many Swift projects available, finding an idea that interests you will make the learning process more fun and sustainable. When you finish building a project, you will have learned and practiced Swift techniques, gained problem solving skills, learned how to ask questions, and have a finished project to show off.

How do I know which Swift projects are best for learning Swift?

The best way to learn Swift is to practice Swift by building as many projects as possible. There are three factors you should consider when picking the right Swift project: your skill level, goals, and interest. You want to have a good idea of your skill level and choose Swift practice projects that are not too easy or too hard for you. If you work on Swift projects that are too easy, you won’t progress in your coding abilities. However, if you choose projects that are too difficult, you may get stuck, never finish the project, and feel discouraged. Therefore, you want to choose Swift projects that are just a little bit above your current skill level. Now, you also want to build Swift projects that not only allows you to practice Swift, but also lets you show off your skills on your portfolio. So think about the types of Swift projects you want to put on your portfolio and jobs you’re interested in as a developer. Think about what your long-term goals are and pick Swift projects that align with them. Lastly, you definitely want to choose Swift projects that you’re actually interested in and feel connected to. Learning by building Swift projects you’re interested in will help you stay motivated. You’ll also be more likely to want to go above and beyond to make your Swift project stand out in the crowd.

Can Swift beginners learn by building Swift projects?

Swift projects are a great way for beginners to learn. Two major obstacles beginners face when learning Swift are not knowing why you’re learning Swift and losing motivation. By learning Swift through building projects, you will be able to overcome both hurdles. When you’re learning Swift, you may not know how to apply Swift theories in the real world. But when working on beginner Swift projects, you immediately learn how each line of code impacts your project. By giving theory context, you’ll understand how to apply theories and find more resources to complete your Swift project. These Swift projects for beginners can also help you build up your portfolio early on. Each Swift project you finish can be incorporated into your portfolio to demonstrate your new skills. Another issue that often comes up for beginners is losing motivation. However, when it comes to projects, you can pick a beginner Swift project that you’re interested in. Not only will you be more motivated when you work on something interesting, you’ll also want to continue to improve the project. As your Swift project comes together, the sense of accomplishment will give you the momentum to keep going, even when things get hard. Additionally, you’ll learn how to approach problems from multiple angles and teach yourself how to search for answers. The ability to problem-solve is arguably one of the most important skills a developer should have.